Testimonials

Please read some of our testimonials below

Sensory Wise is travelling to Brunel University Uxbridge with their stand again at the AKO Autism Expo March 23.

Sensorywise shares: It was a very family friendly event with the right pace for families arriving with their autistic children. I’ve been to many autism events and so many organisers miss the point and create an overwhelming environment that can’t be navigated by people with autism. KUDOS to AKO and Brunel University!

I love that my children can be so involved with my work. Having both benefited from the resources I sell they make an excellent sales team. They’re both inspired by the people we meet, thank you to everyone who engaged with them it literally made their day! Look forward to seeing you again’

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for arranging events like this. My father has just died after a long, awful battle with cancer… He was also a much loved and supportive grandfather to the children in our family and we all miss him.

We are facing a very different Christmas this year and to have some respite from all the grief, legalities etc that we have been going through was just simply beautiful … It allowed our whole family to have fun. My Mum went and saw Santa as well as the children. So what you do not only touches the children, but also reaches out into the family too – giving us all a lovely experience. My Autistic son, who is normally quite deadpan and it more interested in the scenery and how the special effects work, was clapping and dancing in his seat and thoroughly enjoyed it. I looked around the audience and saw the vast range of different challenges that are faced by all our children and watched them laughing, singing and really getting involved. It was magical.

Thank you once again, and I wish you well with your continued work.. it’s priceless.

Best regards

Jackie Stein

Jackie Stein

Parent

‘A fabulous night from start to finish, with even a ‘quiet room’ on hand if or indeed when sensory overload became a little too burdensome.

I am so grateful to have won the ‘personal achievement’ award; my life story is my very own autism advocacy, of succeeding after a difficult start, and I hope it can be an example to all those autistic people slogging their way through the education system now, as improved as it undoubtedly is from the ‘nasty times’ during the 1980s.’

Mickey Mayhew

Autism Hero Winner

The AKO Awards was a lovely evening celebrating the extraordinary parents/carers/school staff/nurses and members of the public who do so much to support the autism community.

Anna Kennedy does a fantastic job of bringing us all together and making every single person in the room feel worthy. For Calvin and for me as his mum it is the only place we can truly be ourselves without judgement.

Everyone in the AKO family just gets it. Listening to stories again last night there is still so much work to be done to raise awareness and promote equality of opportunity. It makes me sad to hear of eight year old children still facing the same discrimination and challenges as Calvin faced ten years ago. I hope together one day autism will truly be accepted for the gift it is.

I know everyone in that room will keep working towards full acceptance as will Calvin and I.

Maria Glen

Parent

What a wonderful evening, so proud of Liam and all the nominees, such inspiring people who all deserve recognition for everything they do and achieve.

I’m so grateful for the opportunities Anna Kennedy has given Liam, also the friendships that have been made not only for Liam but myself too.

The support within the AKO charity is priceless, people that truly understand, accept and support each other without judgment, a place where perceptions and barriers are removed so each and every person can shine.

Thank you for letting us be part of it all. #AKOAwards #autismheroawards

Kristel Burgess

Parent

In September 2017 my family received our little boys diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition. It was a very daunting time for us and we suddenly realised we had this whole new journey in front of us that we knew nothing about and was completely unfamiliar with. We quickly learned that there was a major lack of support information and direction.

Then we were introduced to Anna Kennedy and her team via my very lovely sister in law Lisa Robins. And suddenly it felt as though a door had opened into a wider community of understanding and acceptance support and advice. We did not feel alone anymore. Anna and her amazing team gave us direction in a time of confusion and their help throughout our journey so far has been invaluable.

Ciara Curtis

Parent

Never got to say thank you for inviting me to the Brunel expo 2016.

Had I had not gone, I wouldn’t have been able to make so many contacts and now friends. All that has lead to my son coming out of ATU and in the fabulous home he is in ( care provider recommended by one of the mums)

Everything has lead to where we are now. Thank the lord for that invite!! Thank Mala so much

Jackie Stillman

Mother

I am very honoured & feel like my heart has been lifted! It’s a massive pick up in emotions especially after a bit of a difficult period in my life. Like my heart has been lifted because I have been recognised for good things in the world of autism & beyond!

Ruth Richardson

Autism Hero Awards

Never got to say thank you for inviting me to the Brunel expo 2016.

Had I had not gone, I wouldn’t have been able to make so many contacts and now friends. All that has lead to my son coming out of ATU and in the fabulous home he is in ( care provider recommended by one of the mums)

Everything has lead to where we are now. Thank the lord for that invite!! Thank Mala so much

Jackie Stillman

Mother

Dear Anna,

I just wanted to let you know what an absolute honour it was to be one of the finalists for the Outstanding Education Autism Hero awards and then to win it was a joy beyond words.

The whole evening was so special – extremely well organised and totally inspirational. It will forever be one of the most important highlights of my teaching career and, indeed, my life.

Thank you to you and your amazing team for everything you do to raise awareness and highlight the work and contribution of so many people in the autism community who would otherwise remain ‘unsung’ heroes. My very best wishes to you all, and thank you again,

Regards

Melanie Whitfield

Melanie Whitfield

Head Teacher Brookways School - Autism Hero Winner 2018

I have met Anna in person at an autism event in late 2017 and followed her on social media she is a powerhouse in knowledge and sharing. AKO Autism Expo 2018 was personal, professional and above all accessible for young people and families who want to learn more about autism.

When I spoke young families came in with their children reflecting the strong sense of relaxation and calmness throughout the whole day. This all ties in with ethos and it is clear that Anna’s ethos is open, honest and transparent I believe Anna’s foundations are something that could (or should be!) translated into disability awareness policies in sharing information, something that in essence is so crucial. I enjoyed my day and look forward to coming back again.

Paul Isaacs

Speaker, trainer, author, consultant and patron on autism spectrum

The AKO Autism Expo 2018 was an inspiring day full of passionate people committed to making a difference.

Ali Golding

Founder and creative Director , Movement Works

Anna just wanted to say thank you for all your posts about your sons Patrick and Angelo and about what you get up to.I don’t know how you do it but I am glad you do.You keep me going and I feel like I know you and your boys since I have been following you for a few years. When I am feeling really rubbish I look at your posts some make me laugh , some make me feel emotional or just being informed about what’s going on in the world of autism. Don’t stop being you or doing what you do!!! We as an autism community need you to be our voice and I most certainly need your daily posts.Thanks for taking time out from your busy days in keeping us informed and for helping me to keep going in my feeling lonely days.Bless you and your family xxx

Mum

Being lost in a world that I didn’t understand with my child whom was struggling at school and at home, the impact on our whole family has been immense. As a mom of six my attention was drawn off five of my children most of the time as my first son now five needs one on one adult supervision. The school were failing him, as was I and I didn’t know where to turn until I was put in contact with Nikki Rodregues Holmes. She has been a constant support and friend helping me deal with situations that I just didn’t understand and organise departments that were simply letting my son down because they could. She has attended meetings with me and given me untold amounts of practical, helpful advise to help manage my son. I know I can call her any time and she never makes me feel silly or unwelcome. I’m amazed by her strength and passion for her work. And this is just the beginning. I can’t say thank you enough. Your turning our lives around. Because of Nikki and the Annakennedy charity I’m no longer drowning in a world I don’t understand. I’m excited to learn more and be a part of it. I know my child can succeed along with all the other children with autism who have so much to give. With just the right backing. With Nikki and the Annakennedy charity I dream of a world one day when autism is not treated as taboo and is embrassed as the gift it is. Thank you again.

Jess and Sidney-George.

Parents

I have met Anna in person at an autism event in late 2017 and followed her on social media she is a powerhouse in knowledge and sharing. AKO Autism Expo 2018 was personal, professional and above all accessible for young people and families who want to learn more about autism.

When I spoke young families came in with their children reflecting the strong sense of relaxation and calmness throughout the whole day. This all ties in with ethos and it is clear that Anna’s ethos is open, honest and transparent I believe Anna’s foundations are something that could (or should be!) translated into disability awareness policies in sharing information, something that in essence is so crucial. I enjoyed my day and look forward to coming back again.

Paul Isaacs

Speaker, trainer, author, consultant and patron on autism spectrum

The AKO Autism Expo 2018 was an inspiring day full of passionate people committed to making a difference.

Ali Golding

Founder and creative Director , Movement Works

Anna just wanted to say thank you for all your posts about your sons Patrick and Angelo and about what you get up to.I don’t know how you do it but I am glad you do.You keep me going and I feel like I know you and your boys since I have been following you for a few years. When I am feeling really rubbish I look at your posts some make me laugh , some make me feel emotional or just being informed about what’s going on in the world of autism. Don’t stop being you or doing what you do!!! We as an autism community need you to be our voice and I most certainly need your daily posts.Thanks for taking time out from your busy days in keeping us informed and for helping me to keep going in my feeling lonely days.Bless you and your family xxx

Mum

Being lost in a world that I didn’t understand with my child whom was struggling at school and at home, the impact on our whole family has been immense. As a mom of six my attention was drawn off five of my children most of the time as my first son now five needs one on one adult supervision. The school were failing him, as was I and I didn’t know where to turn until I was put in contact with Nikki Rodregues Holmes. She has been a constant support and friend helping me deal with situations that I just didn’t understand and organise departments that were simply letting my son down because they could. She has attended meetings with me and given me untold amounts of practical, helpful advise to help manage my son. I know I can call her any time and she never makes me feel silly or unwelcome. I’m amazed by her strength and passion for her work. And this is just the beginning. I can’t say thank you enough. Your turning our lives around. Because of Nikki and the Annakennedy charity I’m no longer drowning in a world I don’t understand. I’m excited to learn more and be a part of it. I know my child can succeed along with all the other children with autism who have so much to give. With just the right backing. With Nikki and the Annakennedy charity I dream of a world one day when autism is not treated as taboo and is embrassed as the gift it is. Thank you again.

Jess and Sidney-George.

Parents

“Thank you so much for your inspirational talk yesterday at Brunel Academy. It has certainly given me some ideas to think about when working 1:1 with my student.”